Joan Reynolds is best known for her work as leader and pianist with the Red
Rose Ragtime Jazz Band which she co-founded in 1981. Her band has played at
nearly every major traditional jazz festival across the U.S. plus in France,
Holland, and Wales. The Red Rose Band has recently released its second CD on
the Stomp Off jazz label.
A retired public school music teacher and former folk singer, she has most
recently been appearing in concerts with Lyric Opera orchestra violinist Rachel
Ruhman as a Ragtime Duo. Joan also has given numerous performances as a solo
ragtime pianist, including performances on the St. Louis Goldenrod Showboat,
the Sedalia Ragtime Fest, and the Classic Ragtime Society of Indianapolis.

Clarinetist and alto sax man Kim Cusack is a veteran player in demand all
over the Chicago area. He has been a member of the well known Original Salty
Dogs Jazz Band since 1959, has appeared on over forty LPs and CDs, and was
featured tenor sax player when he toured with the Jan Garber orchestra. In addition
Kim has appeared on the "Prairie Home Companion" radio show at the
Smithsonian with the Jim DaPogny Chicago Jazz Band, and has also had a long association
with Gene Mayl's Dixieland Rhythm Kings. He's the reed man of the Red Rose
Ragtime Jazz Band, and also can be heard regularly at Andy's jazz club in
Chicago and at the Village Tavern in Long Grove.

Banjo and guitar man Jack Meilahn , also a veteran player in demand
throughout the Chicago area, has recorded with many trad jazz groups in the U.S. Among
them are the Varsity Ramblers, Chicago Rhythm, Down Home Jazz Band and the
Hotel Edison Roof Garden Orchestra. He's also the banjo/guitarist with the Red
Rose Ragtime Jazz Band. Jack works as a physical therapist but also manages to
find time to play French horn in several wind ensembles in the Western suburbs.

Gordy Lofgren started his musical training in drums, later switching to
string bass, which he has played professionally since 1944!! As a young man he was
the drummer and arranger for the 43rd U.S. Army Band, and later toured with
Universal International Studios playing for world premiere events. He also
played a stint with the well loved Claude Thornhill Orchestra. Gordy is also
a fine composer and arranger who has composed a suite of lovely tunes for his
grandchildren!

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